Training 2018 Training, Pics etc

[Coona Blues]

Sorry everyone, slept in, kids to school, late to work etc, so now I'm here I can concentrate on training report.

Arrived at the Twin ovals Kingston for the first time as ground is only a few years old and I'm not a follower of the local side. What a surface!! Like a bowling green, and really big, so I spoke with a local Kingborough Tigers Administrator who informed me the dimensions were the same as the G.

The conditions:
Beautiful evening with sun in my face, worried about getting burnt....not supposed to be like this in Tassie at 7pm.
Boys ran out onto the track and what was immediately noticeable was the tans...everywhere....even pasty old Kruze had browned up a treat. All looked fit, no-one stood out as having a Dean Rioli turtle diet this pre-season.

Athletes can be dumb
Their GPS's and vests were all lined up on one sid of the fence and some ran out onto the ground without them and had to come back. Now CHarles, Charlie, Prince, The Franchise, Kouta Mk2....when you are the future star of the club, you don't jump the wire fence with footy boots on, to land on slippery concrete when the @#$%!@ open gate is 3mtrs to your right....god I had visions of Dane Rampe last year!!!

Initial Observations:
My first live and up close look at these lads so some initial observations:
- SPS: man he is little but he has that special look about him, I swear even running out through the race no-one could get within a 2 foot of touching him.
- Garlett is really wirey strong
- Fish looks noticeably stronger through the arms and legs - nice
- Kruz looked very fit
- HeyZeus Patty Cripps is enormous, what a chunk of man flesh!!
- Paddy Dow - looks 12yo, a bit slight up top but really solid core and legs - the Danger comparisons (in terms of build) I've read from other posters ring true - lets hope his footy progresses the same
- JGM - could possibly be THE worst haircut I've seen, I tried to get a photo but struggled to get a good one with the sun. It's like the dusty haircut from last year but grown more - he's gone full Daniel Boone on top - damn thing looked like a pelt...anyway I suppose it's one way to get noticed.
- TDK - really slight but looks like a good athlete - a fair way off playing
- Scheuy was really slight of build but more on him later

Training Drills
Immediately noticeable that Bolton is in full command - small groups, targeting specific skills, lots of carrot, not much stick, but he moves from group to group and you will do it his way or you repeat until correct, and he even coached the coaches, at one point educating Davenport whilst he was running a drill on how the drill should be done and then taking over himself. So to 2 specific drills and what I saw:
Drill 1:
drill aimed at making an under pressure kick (on both sides) along the line look like you were trying to keep it in but the bounce of the ball took it out so you could try to avoid a free against. Some funny results:
- Bunsen - no idea on his left, Bolton had to keep bringing him back to show him the right way to hold the ball
- Harry, Fish, LeBois, T-Willy, TDK (do you see the common thread here) are all like me and Scott Lucas, our right legs are painted on and serve no real purpose - almost comical trying to watch them execute a "skill" kick under pressure with their right pegs opposed to a simple drill where they can mask it.
- Kennedy did both easily and has a physical presence about him just at training...nice
- Saw some players I didn't recognise, then realised Penrith, Strahan and one or two others from the Northern Blues were there too.
- Bolts was funny too - never heard Levi referred to as "Meat" before...Bolts" Lovely kick Meat...Nice"
Drill2:
AN attacking drill where a big guy led up from CHF took the mark, dished off hands to quick blokes running past and delivering quickly into fwd line to the right option - fwds were in 360 degree motion and kicker looked for the fwd on the short hit-up, the lateral move or the over the back into space. Really nice drill but exposed a few things:
- I actually like Kerridge but his kicking into the fwd line was terrible - missed 2 targets in space and scrubbed another along the ground - we don't want him playing this role
- Fisher moved beautifully but tried a bit too much sometimes with his kicking when there was a simple option, looked good though, lovely hands & touch
- Murph....silk....weighted his kicks perfectly, especially the over the back ones. If he plays more of a high HFF role this year he will cause havoc kicking into the fwd 50
- Schuey - now this guy can kick - long, short, flat, hard, soft, weighted. Not sure how far he is from getting a game size and conditioning wise as he is slight but his left foot was elite
- Mullet also looked like a really good kick too into the fwd 50 - might be a wing option instead of HBF?
- Jack....really really disappointing, you can't judge a kid on 1 session but I saw - poor kicks, dropped marks, not strong enough for key fwd but not quick enough for medium fwd. I hope it was just a shocker session for him.
- Jesus....JGM hair is shocking,It's like someone took a shave to the sides of Sticks' SBYM mullet but didn't touch the rest....some really good spoils

AFL X Game Sim Session
- only went for 10-15 minutes and it was hard to get a good look as they were in the middle of the ground, other players were surrounding the field and players weren't wearing numbers, so not much to report
- lots of lefties - Mullet, FIsher, Schuey (I think) kicking was great
- Weiters looked excellent is intercept defender
- Simmo solid
- Didn't look that "X" to me

And then the Sun went down and in 10 minutes it went from a beautiful 21 to a Waverley Winter...WTF

The Game Sim
- ONly ended out going for 3 x 15ish min quarters and no time on.
- Q1 and 2 was best 22 v the Oranges
- Kerridge clearly didn't like being in the Oranges and tried to smash every opposition on baller
- Q3 was best fwds v best backs
- lots of vest swapping with the younger ones so hard to get a read o how some of them went
- SPS and Garlett didn't play and I presume the same for LOB - didn't see him after some of the initial drills
- Jabba asked who was in the Best 22 that were not in the Big Footy best 22. The answer (taking out Lang, SPS, Garlett, LOB who didn't play) was Lamb and Daisy

So to the highlights/lowlights
OK I'm just gonna get it out of the way....3 votes D Thomas...the only caveat being it is a big ground and no stands to get an elevated view so if I missed an on baller running rampant I humbly apologise but don't think I did.
- When the game started it was the Best 22 vs the rest and it was also clear that some players went back to just bombing the ball fwd to a pack rather than the drill they'd just done...I can see why Bolts picks Daisy, for all his limitations, he's smart - he moved into the space he was supposed to be in, he weighed his options, presented as a hit up HFF and did 2 kicks, whilst not blind they were long centred ones over the traffic from one HFF to the other (and there is no way he had time to see that option in congestion) to where the fwds and mids were were supposed to be streaming into...and guess what they were and got easy goals...does it translate to match day - I dunno but he's playing/training the way Bolton is drilling.
- Kennedy is a Bull, and if he is able to get to the right conditioning level following the shoulder issues then he is going to be a gem when teamed with Crippa- and also allowed Crippa to rest fwd.
- Murph looked sharp, very classy and quick. As I said above if he can play outside mid/HFF this year he will cause chaos
- Phillips stood out like Daisy, did really well at the centre taps opposed to Kruz but also went foward and kicked a couple of nice goals - 1 on the lead and another ripping snap across the body from the pocket about 35 out. NOt sure his around the ground or ground ball stuff is much but at least he looks fit and a viable option if the big fella goes down. Would I play him and Kruz...No...only if Levi is out would I play Phillips
- HArry - was in the orange team and whilst he did some nice things - his lead up/mark/ clean hands were noticeable, he simply does not have the conditioning at this point. Not sure how far away he is from full fitness but I'd be pleasantly surprised if he's a R1 starter, but he looks a player. Needs to work on the core and legs as skinny
- Fisher looked really good, again got caught a few times trying to do too much but his clean hands on the ground, one touch pick up and turn onto the left in one motions and steam fwd just oooozes class...and he did it often
- Schuey looked really nice, tried a bit too much and got caught a few times like Fish but a lot to work with and he was taking the kick outs for the Orange (2nd) team
- Didn't really notice Paddy Dow, but those fluoro oranges were hard to spot from each other
- Jack took his form from the training drills into the games - a non factor, dropped marks and a tad slow...not quite sure what to make of it
- I didn't see Patty Kerr at all despite looking for him
- And Lamb played as a HBF for a bit of the game and did some really nice kicks/switches of play, didn't notice him much apart from that
- Ooohh - and Weiters looked really good intercepting and playing CHB...really nice, classy.
- And JGM - that bonce mop is growing on me, I think I'll name it Kevin

Any questions shoot, I'd better go do some work, but will get to them later

D7, reporting from Tassie, out!!!!

Worth the wait. This old (former) Taswegian thanks you.

Quite incredible two reporters, one wraps Jack and knocks Bam Bam, then the reverse.
Jack has a lot to like, but is a tweener not overly blessed with pace, structures will be critical.
Have loved Bam Bam from pre draft. His shoulder setback is going to impact, expecting flashes
of what the future holds in season 2018, but will improve dramatically thereafter. Probably
plenty of forward minutes this year, which is no problem as can hit the scoreboard.

 

[Dowingham]

When I said I appreciate your post earlier, I mean the positive stuff. Less of this please mate*, I'm quite enjoying floating around on a cloud this morning.

Great work Dominator_7 well worth the wait. One question: did you see much of Willo and was he playing the Doc role that Dowington inferred?

I do actually appreciate it, just makes me sad. Love Kennedy and think he'll be a ripper once he gets his rig right.

I love kennedy too. Just looked really short of breath at times -

 

[Dadda Dave]

Sorry everyone, slept in, kids to school, late to work etc, so now I'm here I can concentrate on training report.

Arrived at the Twin ovals Kingston for the first time as ground is only a few years old and I'm not a follower of the local side. What a surface!! Like a bowling green, and really big, so I spoke with a local Kingborough Tigers Administrator who informed me the dimensions were the same as the G.

The conditions:
Beautiful evening with sun in my face, worried about getting burnt....not supposed to be like this in Tassie at 7pm.
Boys ran out onto the track and what was immediately noticeable was the tans...everywhere....even pasty old Kruze had browned up a treat. All looked fit, no-one stood out as having a Dean Rioli turtle diet this pre-season.

Athletes can be dumb
Their GPS's and vests were all lined up on one sid of the fence and some ran out onto the ground without them and had to come back. Now CHarles, Charlie, Prince, The Franchise, Kouta Mk2....when you are the future star of the club, you don't jump the wire fence with footy boots on, to land on slippery concrete when the @#$%!@ open gate is 3mtrs to your right....god I had visions of Dane Rampe last year!!!

Initial Observations:
My first live and up close look at these lads so some initial observations:
- SPS: man he is little but he has that special look about him, I swear even running out through the race no-one could get within a 2 foot of touching him.
- Garlett is really wirey strong
- Fish looks noticeably stronger through the arms and legs - nice
- Kruz looked very fit
- HeyZeus Patty Cripps is enormous, what a chunk of man flesh!!
- Paddy Dow - looks 12yo, a bit slight up top but really solid core and legs - the Danger comparisons (in terms of build) I've read from other posters ring true - lets hope his footy progresses the same
- JGM - could possibly be THE worst haircut I've seen, I tried to get a photo but struggled to get a good one with the sun. It's like the dusty haircut from last year but grown more - he's gone full Daniel Boone on top - damn thing looked like a pelt...anyway I suppose it's one way to get noticed.
- TDK - really slight but looks like a good athlete - a fair way off playing
- Scheuy was really slight of build but more on him later

Training Drills
Immediately noticeable that Bolton is in full command - small groups, targeting specific skills, lots of carrot, not much stick, but he moves from group to group and you will do it his way or you repeat until correct, and he even coached the coaches, at one point educating Davenport whilst he was running a drill on how the drill should be done and then taking over himself. So to 2 specific drills and what I saw:
Drill 1:
drill aimed at making an under pressure kick (on both sides) along the line look like you were trying to keep it in but the bounce of the ball took it out so you could try to avoid a free against. Some funny results:
- Bunsen - no idea on his left, Bolton had to keep bringing him back to show him the right way to hold the ball
- Harry, Fish, LeBois, T-Willy, TDK (do you see the common thread here) are all like me and Scott Lucas, our right legs are painted on and serve no real purpose - almost comical trying to watch them execute a "skill" kick under pressure with their right pegs opposed to a simple drill where they can mask it.
- Kennedy did both easily and has a physical presence about him just at training...nice
- Saw some players I didn't recognise, then realised Penrith, Strahan and one or two others from the Northern Blues were there too.
- Bolts was funny too - never heard Levi referred to as "Meat" before...Bolts" Lovely kick Meat...Nice"
Drill2:
AN attacking drill where a big guy led up from CHF took the mark, dished off hands to quick blokes running past and delivering quickly into fwd line to the right option - fwds were in 360 degree motion and kicker looked for the fwd on the short hit-up, the lateral move or the over the back into space. Really nice drill but exposed a few things:
- I actually like Kerridge but his kicking into the fwd line was terrible - missed 2 targets in space and scrubbed another along the ground - we don't want him playing this role
- Fisher moved beautifully but tried a bit too much sometimes with his kicking when there was a simple option, looked good though, lovely hands & touch
- Murph....silk....weighted his kicks perfectly, especially the over the back ones. If he plays more of a high HFF role this year he will cause havoc kicking into the fwd 50
- Schuey - now this guy can kick - long, short, flat, hard, soft, weighted. Not sure how far he is from getting a game size and conditioning wise as he is slight but his left foot was elite
- Mullet also looked like a really good kick too into the fwd 50 - might be a wing option instead of HBF?
- Jack....really really disappointing, you can't judge a kid on 1 session but I saw - poor kicks, dropped marks, not strong enough for key fwd but not quick enough for medium fwd. I hope it was just a shocker session for him.
- Jesus....JGM hair is shocking,It's like someone took a shave to the sides of Sticks' SBYM mullet but didn't touch the rest....some really good spoils

AFL X Game Sim Session
- only went for 10-15 minutes and it was hard to get a good look as they were in the middle of the ground, other players were surrounding the field and players weren't wearing numbers, so not much to report
- lots of lefties - Mullet, FIsher, Schuey (I think) kicking was great
- Weiters looked excellent is intercept defender
- Simmo solid
- Didn't look that "X" to me

And then the Sun went down and in 10 minutes it went from a beautiful 21 to a Waverley Winter...WTF

The Game Sim
- ONly ended out going for 3 x 15ish min quarters and no time on.
- Q1 and 2 was best 22 v the Oranges
- Kerridge clearly didn't like being in the Oranges and tried to smash every opposition on baller
- Q3 was best fwds v best backs
- lots of vest swapping with the younger ones so hard to get a read o how some of them went
- SPS and Garlett didn't play and I presume the same for LOB - didn't see him after some of the initial drills
- Jabba asked who was in the Best 22 that were not in the Big Footy best 22. The answer (taking out Lang, SPS, Garlett, LOB who didn't play) was Lamb and Daisy

So to the highlights/lowlights
OK I'm just gonna get it out of the way....3 votes D Thomas...the only caveat being it is a big ground and no stands to get an elevated view so if I missed an on baller running rampant I humbly apologise but don't think I did.
- When the game started it was the Best 22 vs the rest and it was also clear that some players went back to just bombing the ball fwd to a pack rather than the drill they'd just done...I can see why Bolts picks Daisy, for all his limitations, he's smart - he moved into the space he was supposed to be in, he weighed his options, presented as a hit up HFF and did 2 kicks, whilst not blind they were long centred ones over the traffic from one HFF to the other (and there is no way he had time to see that option in congestion) to where the fwds and mids were were supposed to be streaming into...and guess what they were and got easy goals...does it translate to match day - I dunno but he's playing/training the way Bolton is drilling.
- Kennedy is a Bull, and if he is able to get to the right conditioning level following the shoulder issues then he is going to be a gem when teamed with Crippa- and also allowed Crippa to rest fwd.
- Murph looked sharp, very classy and quick. As I said above if he can play outside mid/HFF this year he will cause chaos
- Phillips stood out like Daisy, did really well at the centre taps opposed to Kruz but also went foward and kicked a couple of nice goals - 1 on the lead and another ripping snap across the body from the pocket about 35 out. NOt sure his around the ground or ground ball stuff is much but at least he looks fit and a viable option if the big fella goes down. Would I play him and Kruz...No...only if Levi is out would I play Phillips
- HArry - was in the orange team and whilst he did some nice things - his lead up/mark/ clean hands were noticeable, he simply does not have the conditioning at this point. Not sure how far away he is from full fitness but I'd be pleasantly surprised if he's a R1 starter, but he looks a player. Needs to work on the core and legs as skinny
- Fisher looked really good, again got caught a few times trying to do too much but his clean hands on the ground, one touch pick up and turn onto the left in one motions and steam fwd just oooozes class...and he did it often
- Schuey looked really nice, tried a bit too much and got caught a few times like Fish but a lot to work with and he was taking the kick outs for the Orange (2nd) team
- Didn't really notice Paddy Dow, but those fluoro oranges were hard to spot from each other
- Jack took his form from the training drills into the games - a non factor, dropped marks and a tad slow...not quite sure what to make of it
- I didn't see Patty Kerr at all despite looking for him
- And Lamb played as a HBF for a bit of the game and did some really nice kicks/switches of play, didn't notice him much apart from that
- Ooohh - and Weiters looked really good intercepting and playing CHB...really nice, classy.
- And JGM - that bonce mop is growing on me, I think I'll name it Kevin

Any questions shoot, I'd better go do some work, but will get to them later

D7, reporting from Tassie, out!!!!

Love your work Dominator7 you have passed with flying colours (navy blue) 11 our of 10 .

 

[thylacine60]

Sorry everyone, slept in, kids to school, late to work etc, so now I'm here I can concentrate on training report.

Arrived at the Twin ovals Kingston for the first time as ground is only a few years old and I'm not a follower of the local side. What a surface!! Like a bowling green, and really big, so I spoke with a local Kingborough Tigers Administrator who informed me the dimensions were the same as the G.

The conditions:
Beautiful evening with sun in my face, worried about getting burnt....not supposed to be like this in Tassie at 7pm.
Boys ran out onto the track and what was immediately noticeable was the tans...everywhere....even pasty old Kruze had browned up a treat. All looked fit, no-one stood out as having a Dean Rioli turtle diet this pre-season.

Athletes can be dumb
Their GPS's and vests were all lined up on one sid of the fence and some ran out onto the ground without them and had to come back. Now CHarles, Charlie, Prince, The Franchise, Kouta Mk2....when you are the future star of the club, you don't jump the wire fence with footy boots on, to land on slippery concrete when the @#$%!@ open gate is 3mtrs to your right....god I had visions of Dane Rampe last year!!!

Initial Observations:
My first live and up close look at these lads so some initial observations:
- SPS: man he is little but he has that special look about him, I swear even running out through the race no-one could get within a 2 foot of touching him.
- Garlett is really wirey strong
- Fish looks noticeably stronger through the arms and legs - nice
- Kruz looked very fit
- HeyZeus Patty Cripps is enormous, what a chunk of man flesh!!
- Paddy Dow - looks 12yo, a bit slight up top but really solid core and legs - the Danger comparisons (in terms of build) I've read from other posters ring true - lets hope his footy progresses the same
- JGM - could possibly be THE worst haircut I've seen, I tried to get a photo but struggled to get a good one with the sun. It's like the dusty haircut from last year but grown more - he's gone full Daniel Boone on top - damn thing looked like a pelt...anyway I suppose it's one way to get noticed.
- TDK - really slight but looks like a good athlete - a fair way off playing
- Scheuy was really slight of build but more on him later

Training Drills
Immediately noticeable that Bolton is in full command - small groups, targeting specific skills, lots of carrot, not much stick, but he moves from group to group and you will do it his way or you repeat until correct, and he even coached the coaches, at one point educating Davenport whilst he was running a drill on how the drill should be done and then taking over himself. So to 2 specific drills and what I saw:
Drill 1:
drill aimed at making an under pressure kick (on both sides) along the line look like you were trying to keep it in but the bounce of the ball took it out so you could try to avoid a free against. Some funny results:
- Bunsen - no idea on his left, Bolton had to keep bringing him back to show him the right way to hold the ball
- Harry, Fish, LeBois, T-Willy, TDK (do you see the common thread here) are all like me and Scott Lucas, our right legs are painted on and serve no real purpose - almost comical trying to watch them execute a "skill" kick under pressure with their right pegs opposed to a simple drill where they can mask it.
- Kennedy did both easily and has a physical presence about him just at training...nice
- Saw some players I didn't recognise, then realised Penrith, Strahan and one or two others from the Northern Blues were there too.
- Bolts was funny too - never heard Levi referred to as "Meat" before...Bolts" Lovely kick Meat...Nice"
Drill2:
AN attacking drill where a big guy led up from CHF took the mark, dished off hands to quick blokes running past and delivering quickly into fwd line to the right option - fwds were in 360 degree motion and kicker looked for the fwd on the short hit-up, the lateral move or the over the back into space. Really nice drill but exposed a few things:
- I actually like Kerridge but his kicking into the fwd line was terrible - missed 2 targets in space and scrubbed another along the ground - we don't want him playing this role
- Fisher moved beautifully but tried a bit too much sometimes with his kicking when there was a simple option, looked good though, lovely hands & touch
- Murph....silk....weighted his kicks perfectly, especially the over the back ones. If he plays more of a high HFF role this year he will cause havoc kicking into the fwd 50
- Schuey - now this guy can kick - long, short, flat, hard, soft, weighted. Not sure how far he is from getting a game size and conditioning wise as he is slight but his left foot was elite
- Mullet also looked like a really good kick too into the fwd 50 - might be a wing option instead of HBF?
- Jack....really really disappointing, you can't judge a kid on 1 session but I saw - poor kicks, dropped marks, not strong enough for key fwd but not quick enough for medium fwd. I hope it was just a shocker session for him.
- Jesus....JGM hair is shocking,It's like someone took a shave to the sides of Sticks' SBYM mullet but didn't touch the rest....some really good spoils

AFL X Game Sim Session
- only went for 10-15 minutes and it was hard to get a good look as they were in the middle of the ground, other players were surrounding the field and players weren't wearing numbers, so not much to report
- lots of lefties - Mullet, FIsher, Schuey (I think) kicking was great
- Weiters looked excellent is intercept defender
- Simmo solid
- Didn't look that "X" to me

And then the Sun went down and in 10 minutes it went from a beautiful 21 to a Waverley Winter...WTF

The Game Sim
- ONly ended out going for 3 x 15ish min quarters and no time on.
- Q1 and 2 was best 22 v the Oranges
- Kerridge clearly didn't like being in the Oranges and tried to smash every opposition on baller
- Q3 was best fwds v best backs
- lots of vest swapping with the younger ones so hard to get a read o how some of them went
- SPS and Garlett didn't play and I presume the same for LOB - didn't see him after some of the initial drills
- Jabba asked who was in the Best 22 that were not in the Big Footy best 22. The answer (taking out Lang, SPS, Garlett, LOB who didn't play) was Lamb and Daisy

So to the highlights/lowlights
OK I'm just gonna get it out of the way....3 votes D Thomas...the only caveat being it is a big ground and no stands to get an elevated view so if I missed an on baller running rampant I humbly apologise but don't think I did.
- When the game started it was the Best 22 vs the rest and it was also clear that some players went back to just bombing the ball fwd to a pack rather than the drill they'd just done...I can see why Bolts picks Daisy, for all his limitations, he's smart - he moved into the space he was supposed to be in, he weighed his options, presented as a hit up HFF and did 2 kicks, whilst not blind they were long centred ones over the traffic from one HFF to the other (and there is no way he had time to see that option in congestion) to where the fwds and mids were were supposed to be streaming into...and guess what they were and got easy goals...does it translate to match day - I dunno but he's playing/training the way Bolton is drilling.
- Kennedy is a Bull, and if he is able to get to the right conditioning level following the shoulder issues then he is going to be a gem when teamed with Crippa- and also allowed Crippa to rest fwd.
- Murph looked sharp, very classy and quick. As I said above if he can play outside mid/HFF this year he will cause chaos
- Phillips stood out like Daisy, did really well at the centre taps opposed to Kruz but also went foward and kicked a couple of nice goals - 1 on the lead and another ripping snap across the body from the pocket about 35 out. NOt sure his around the ground or ground ball stuff is much but at least he looks fit and a viable option if the big fella goes down. Would I play him and Kruz...No...only if Levi is out would I play Phillips
- HArry - was in the orange team and whilst he did some nice things - his lead up/mark/ clean hands were noticeable, he simply does not have the conditioning at this point. Not sure how far away he is from full fitness but I'd be pleasantly surprised if he's a R1 starter, but he looks a player. Needs to work on the core and legs as skinny
- Fisher looked really good, again got caught a few times trying to do too much but his clean hands on the ground, one touch pick up and turn onto the left in one motions and steam fwd just oooozes class...and he did it often
- Schuey looked really nice, tried a bit too much and got caught a few times like Fish but a lot to work with and he was taking the kick outs for the Orange (2nd) team
- Didn't really notice Paddy Dow, but those fluoro oranges were hard to spot from each other
- Jack took his form from the training drills into the games - a non factor, dropped marks and a tad slow...not quite sure what to make of it
- I didn't see Patty Kerr at all despite looking for him
- And Lamb played as a HBF for a bit of the game and did some really nice kicks/switches of play, didn't notice him much apart from that
- Ooohh - and Weiters looked really good intercepting and playing CHB...really nice, classy.
- And JGM - that bonce mop is growing on me, I think I'll name it Kevin

Any questions shoot, I'd better go do some work, but will get to them later

D7, reporting from Tassie, out!!!!

Brilliant report, TD7. Kids education given precedence over a game report a little concerning but all in all, much appreciated.

 

[Mr_Plow]

It's been a while since we've had such an illustrious training report, tremendous work!

 

[HBF]

Brilliant report.

 

[Aphrodite]

Thanks for the training reports The Dominator7 & Dowingham

 

[Metalcrusher]

Sorry everyone, slept in, kids to school, late to work etc, so now I'm here I can concentrate on training report.

Arrived at the Twin ovals Kingston for the first time as ground is only a few years old and I'm not a follower of the local side. What a surface!! Like a bowling green, and really big, so I spoke with a local Kingborough Tigers Administrator who informed me the dimensions were the same as the G.

The conditions:
Beautiful evening with sun in my face, worried about getting burnt....not supposed to be like this in Tassie at 7pm.
Boys ran out onto the track and what was immediately noticeable was the tans...everywhere....even pasty old Kruze had browned up a treat. All looked fit, no-one stood out as having a Dean Rioli turtle diet this pre-season.

Athletes can be dumb
Their GPS's and vests were all lined up on one sid of the fence and some ran out onto the ground without them and had to come back. Now CHarles, Charlie, Prince, The Franchise, Kouta Mk2....when you are the future star of the club, you don't jump the wire fence with footy boots on, to land on slippery concrete when the @#$%!@ open gate is 3mtrs to your right....god I had visions of Dane Rampe last year!!!

Initial Observations:
My first live and up close look at these lads so some initial observations:
- SPS: man he is little but he has that special look about him, I swear even running out through the race no-one could get within a 2 foot of touching him.
- Garlett is really wirey strong
- Fish looks noticeably stronger through the arms and legs - nice
- Kruz looked very fit
- HeyZeus Patty Cripps is enormous, what a chunk of man flesh!!
- Paddy Dow - looks 12yo, a bit slight up top but really solid core and legs - the Danger comparisons (in terms of build) I've read from other posters ring true - lets hope his footy progresses the same
- JGM - could possibly be THE worst haircut I've seen, I tried to get a photo but struggled to get a good one with the sun. It's like the dusty haircut from last year but grown more - he's gone full Daniel Boone on top - damn thing looked like a pelt...anyway I suppose it's one way to get noticed.
- TDK - really slight but looks like a good athlete - a fair way off playing
- Scheuy was really slight of build but more on him later

Training Drills
Immediately noticeable that Bolton is in full command - small groups, targeting specific skills, lots of carrot, not much stick, but he moves from group to group and you will do it his way or you repeat until correct, and he even coached the coaches, at one point educating Davenport whilst he was running a drill on how the drill should be done and then taking over himself. So to 2 specific drills and what I saw:
Drill 1:
drill aimed at making an under pressure kick (on both sides) along the line look like you were trying to keep it in but the bounce of the ball took it out so you could try to avoid a free against. Some funny results:
- Bunsen - no idea on his left, Bolton had to keep bringing him back to show him the right way to hold the ball
- Harry, Fish, LeBois, T-Willy, TDK (do you see the common thread here) are all like me and Scott Lucas, our right legs are painted on and serve no real purpose - almost comical trying to watch them execute a "skill" kick under pressure with their right pegs opposed to a simple drill where they can mask it.
- Kennedy did both easily and has a physical presence about him just at training...nice
- Saw some players I didn't recognise, then realised Penrith, Strahan and one or two others from the Northern Blues were there too.
- Bolts was funny too - never heard Levi referred to as "Meat" before...Bolts" Lovely kick Meat...Nice"
Drill2:
AN attacking drill where a big guy led up from CHF took the mark, dished off hands to quick blokes running past and delivering quickly into fwd line to the right option - fwds were in 360 degree motion and kicker looked for the fwd on the short hit-up, the lateral move or the over the back into space. Really nice drill but exposed a few things:
- I actually like Kerridge but his kicking into the fwd line was terrible - missed 2 targets in space and scrubbed another along the ground - we don't want him playing this role
- Fisher moved beautifully but tried a bit too much sometimes with his kicking when there was a simple option, looked good though, lovely hands & touch
- Murph....silk....weighted his kicks perfectly, especially the over the back ones. If he plays more of a high HFF role this year he will cause havoc kicking into the fwd 50
- Schuey - now this guy can kick - long, short, flat, hard, soft, weighted. Not sure how far he is from getting a game size and conditioning wise as he is slight but his left foot was elite
- Mullet also looked like a really good kick too into the fwd 50 - might be a wing option instead of HBF?
- Jack....really really disappointing, you can't judge a kid on 1 session but I saw - poor kicks, dropped marks, not strong enough for key fwd but not quick enough for medium fwd. I hope it was just a shocker session for him.
- Jesus....JGM hair is shocking,It's like someone took a shave to the sides of Sticks' SBYM mullet but didn't touch the rest....some really good spoils

AFL X Game Sim Session
- only went for 10-15 minutes and it was hard to get a good look as they were in the middle of the ground, other players were surrounding the field and players weren't wearing numbers, so not much to report
- lots of lefties - Mullet, FIsher, Schuey (I think) kicking was great
- Weiters looked excellent is intercept defender
- Simmo solid
- Didn't look that "X" to me

And then the Sun went down and in 10 minutes it went from a beautiful 21 to a Waverley Winter...WTF

The Game Sim
- ONly ended out going for 3 x 15ish min quarters and no time on.
- Q1 and 2 was best 22 v the Oranges
- Kerridge clearly didn't like being in the Oranges and tried to smash every opposition on baller
- Q3 was best fwds v best backs
- lots of vest swapping with the younger ones so hard to get a read o how some of them went
- SPS and Garlett didn't play and I presume the same for LOB - didn't see him after some of the initial drills
- Jabba asked who was in the Best 22 that were not in the Big Footy best 22. The answer (taking out Lang, SPS, Garlett, LOB who didn't play) was Lamb and Daisy

So to the highlights/lowlights
OK I'm just gonna get it out of the way....3 votes D Thomas...the only caveat being it is a big ground and no stands to get an elevated view so if I missed an on baller running rampant I humbly apologise but don't think I did.
- When the game started it was the Best 22 vs the rest and it was also clear that some players went back to just bombing the ball fwd to a pack rather than the drill they'd just done...I can see why Bolts picks Daisy, for all his limitations, he's smart - he moved into the space he was supposed to be in, he weighed his options, presented as a hit up HFF and did 2 kicks, whilst not blind they were long centred ones over the traffic from one HFF to the other (and there is no way he had time to see that option in congestion) to where the fwds and mids were were supposed to be streaming into...and guess what they were and got easy goals...does it translate to match day - I dunno but he's playing/training the way Bolton is drilling.
- Kennedy is a Bull, and if he is able to get to the right conditioning level following the shoulder issues then he is going to be a gem when teamed with Crippa- and also allowed Crippa to rest fwd.
- Murph looked sharp, very classy and quick. As I said above if he can play outside mid/HFF this year he will cause chaos
- Phillips stood out like Daisy, did really well at the centre taps opposed to Kruz but also went foward and kicked a couple of nice goals - 1 on the lead and another ripping snap across the body from the pocket about 35 out. NOt sure his around the ground or ground ball stuff is much but at least he looks fit and a viable option if the big fella goes down. Would I play him and Kruz...No...only if Levi is out would I play Phillips
- HArry - was in the orange team and whilst he did some nice things - his lead up/mark/ clean hands were noticeable, he simply does not have the conditioning at this point. Not sure how far away he is from full fitness but I'd be pleasantly surprised if he's a R1 starter, but he looks a player. Needs to work on the core and legs as skinny
- Fisher looked really good, again got caught a few times trying to do too much but his clean hands on the ground, one touch pick up and turn onto the left in one motions and steam fwd just oooozes class...and he did it often
- Schuey looked really nice, tried a bit too much and got caught a few times like Fish but a lot to work with and he was taking the kick outs for the Orange (2nd) team
- Didn't really notice Paddy Dow, but those fluoro oranges were hard to spot from each other
- Jack took his form from the training drills into the games - a non factor, dropped marks and a tad slow...not quite sure what to make of it
- I didn't see Patty Kerr at all despite looking for him
- And Lamb played as a HBF for a bit of the game and did some really nice kicks/switches of play, didn't notice him much apart from that
- Ooohh - and Weiters looked really good intercepting and playing CHB...really nice, classy.
- And JGM - that bonce mop is growing on me, I think I'll name it Kevin

Any questions shoot, I'd better go do some work, but will get to them later

D7, reporting from Tassie, out!!!!

Holy shit mate what an entrance!

 

[HBF]

Re-read that report, one of the best ones on BF for some time.

 

[Neese]

Thanks for the reports gents

 

[Dadda Dave]

Re-read that report, one of the best ones on BF for some time.

We need to give him a cotract

 

[Metalcrusher]

- And JGM - that bonce mop is growing on me, I think I'll name it Kevin

I was crying! That description is so ****ing funny!!!!!!

 

[The Dominator7]

Worth the wait. This old (former) Taswegian thanks you.

Quite incredible two reporters, one wraps Jack and knocks Bam Bam, then the reverse.
Jack has a lot to like, but is a tweener not overly blessed with pace, structures will be critical.
Have loved Bam Bam from pre draft. His shoulder setback is going to impact, expecting flashes
of what the future holds in season 2018, but will improve dramatically thereafter. Probably
plenty of forward minutes this year, which is no problem as can hit the scoreboard.

Cheers, I reckon some of it could be down to the size of the ground and lack of stands - I'll elaborate a bit more.

- Kennedy does look a bit short of a gallop, and made a couple of mistakes, but everyone did. BUt he did things though that really stood out - couple of strong contents, tackles and some HFF marks under pressure right in front of me
- T-Willy didn't shine to my eye, but nor did he look ordinary, so wasn't in the highlights package - he just did the job as expected...like him a lot - didn't see any long runs
- Jack is a smart footballer and finds space well and got a couple of OK grabs - but he had a litany of stinkers right in front of me when doing the training drills and again when I moved for the match sim. I think your summation of him above i really accurate
- One I forgot to mention was Charlie - training drills looked really good. Match sim looked good without starring. At one stage he ran right under a ball kicked into a pack in the fwd line and did the half fake throw yourself forward like he'd been pushed....Bolts gave him a good burst...pretty funny

Also the score at 1/4 time was 46 to 12 and then about 70ish to 18 at half time so the best 22 defenders like T-Willy, Weiters, Marchy, Jones etc weren't overly busy, hence not in the highlights as much....come to think of it ASOS was there and I can't even remember him!!!

 

[The Dominator7]

And I found a photo

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Cheers The Dominator7 and Dowingham. You guys get extra cake for your troubles.

 

[Coona Blues]

Cheers, I reckon some of it could be down to the size of the ground and lack of stands - I'll elaborate a bit more.

- Kennedy does look a bit short of a gallop, and made a couple of mistakes, but everyone did. BUt he did things though that really stood out - couple of strong contents, tackles and some HFF marks under pressure right in front of me
- T-Willy didn't shine to my eye, but nor did he look ordinary, so wasn't in the highlights package - he just did the job as expected...like him a lot - didn't see any long runs
- Jack is a smart footballer and finds space well and got a couple of OK grabs - but he had a litany of stinkers right in front of me when doing the training drills and again when I moved for the match sim. I think your summation of him above i really accurate
- One I forgot to mention was Charlie - training drills looked really good. Match sim looked good without starring. At one stage he ran right under a ball kicked into a pack in the fwd line and did the half fake throw yourself forward like he'd been pushed....Bolts gave him a good burst...pretty funny

Also the score at 1/4 time was 46 to 12 and then about 70ish to 18 at half time so the best 22 defenders like T-Willy, Weiters, Marchy, Jones etc weren't overly busy, hence not in the highlights as much....come to think of it ASOS was there and I can't even remember him!!!

Jack is a bloody interesting one.
Saw two sessions on the Sunny Coast in December, was less than forthcoming with Jack observations.
Without gilding the lily, at the risk of calling a spade a shovel............
The first session, Jack pranced and posed and looked nothing more than an entitled pratt, the second two days
later I saw the footballer we all want, desperate and committed and displaying his skills, at a guess, would say
he received a significant serve sometime between sessions.

Can he be a Tom Lynch(Adelaide) or Gunston type or will he be over run as our other big boys develop, the mids
take up rotational spots up forward, or we follow the trend and employ a more mobile, pressure focussed forward
structure.

Yeah, I know sacrilegious with club royalty, but it strikes me every time I play with Jimmae's team board and auto
fill him up forward. Why is he an automatic selection????

 

[Cripps Nubake]

Thought I would also do a quick report as I managed to get down to see them last night as well.

Now this was my first ever time seeing Carlton train, so of course I was extremely impressed with the overall intensity and professionalism of the players. I have nothing to compare it too, so take my over enthusiasm and positivity with a grain of salt. Also note that just because I don't list a player doesn't mean that they weren't impressive. Just that these were the players that really caught my eye, mainly because they were within close proximity to where I was sitting and it was hard to pick up every player all over the ground.

The first player that caught my attention was Jarrod Pickett. He looks shredded, and fit. A compete turn around from 1 year ago. He has such clean skills. I was just watching him snap goal after goal from the boundary, There is just something about him that you can't look away.

They were training for about an hour, doing various drills. I noticed that there was definitely a focus in forward leading patterns, which then transferred over into the match sim later on. I thought JSOS looked in good form. Seems to lead well and is a really nice kick. And Curnow is just a specimen, moves so well.

There was also a group in the midfield that were focusing on overlap running. You can tell that improving our scoring and attack is a big focus this preseason. After that they combined the 2 drills and had the midfielders overlapping and delivering it to our forwards. I was actually surprised with Graham in this drill, they were delivering into the F50 really well. Teague was the coach leading the drill down my end and was really impressive. Loud, instructive, and driving high standards. He would sometimes stop the drill after a bad pass and say what went wrong with the forwards lead etc.

They then went onto an AFLX simulation. I can't really give too much insight into this as i was just enjoying the game and quick ball movement. Harry, lebois, Garlett, polson, Byrne and most of the reserves boys didn't play and did more drills. So don't expect to see them in our AFLX lineup I'm guessing.

Match Sim Observations:

Fisher: I love this guy. Played a lot of midfield time and just seems to have all the tools. Still quite small, but he goes hard at the contest. There was a moment in the first quarter where he was running back with the flight and got absolutely flattened by another player. Both players went to ground but fisher bounces straight back up and is first to the ball, then delivers into the F50. Bolts was really happy and have him a big shout out and thumbs up. He is really clean below his knees and quick, and saw him hit a few lace out passes into the forward line. Watch out for him this year, will get more midfield minutes and take a big step forward.

Charlie: boy oh boy what an excitement machine. He just seems to have a presence around the ground that very few players have. He trains with real intensity too, at one point he was going for the ball and flattened young Schumacher! When compared to the other first year players, he already looks like a developed full forward. Was roaming around the ground taking marks on the wing and forward 50. Missed a couple of set shots on goal though, but that's the only thing you can pot him for. This is his year to really make his mark on the competition

Schumacher: pleasantly surprised by this kid. Was playing full back against the best 22, which meant the ball was coming in a fair bit. Still very skinny so struggled a bit the 1v1s, but has a beautiful left foot taking most of the kick outs. Has fairly good pace and goes hard at the footy. Will be interesting to see if he gets a run in seniors this year.

Harry: only played the first half and played with the 2nds so the ball didn't get down to his end too often. But I thought he moved around the pretty well. Took a big 2v1 contested grab on the wing from the kick out. He is a beautiful kick and mark. Didn't get enough of it and Not sure if he is quite ready yet but fingers crossed he plays plenty of games this year.

Pickett:
A few nice moments bursting out of congestion. He is quick!

Kennedy has the biggest quads I've seen in my life. Hopefully his shoulder is fine for rd 1.

Our defence was really well set up. Got to see jones close up and he seems so calm and confident back there. Was instructing everyone from full back. Will fill in Docs role as the general down back I reckon.

Marchbank and weiters are such an exciting combo. Weitering looks classy AF, and marchbank intercepting everything. Willow has such an amazing left foot, and Simpson his amazing best. Think our defence will be very strong this year dispite losing doc.

Cripps is a machine and was spending lots of time forward. Expecting a big year from him.

Dow has out on some muscle and has really good burst speed. I reckon he will play rd 1. Didn't see obrien much though.

And finally Bolts. You've heard it all before but this was my first time seeing him in the flesh and he is just such a brilliant communicator. When he speaks the whole ground becomes silent. He sends a message and won't stop saying it until every person understands it completely. We are lucky to have him as a coach I reckon.

Well that's enough waffling from me. Writing this the day after so not everything is fresh, but this is the stuff that stood out to me the most.

 

[Mr_Plow]

They're coming in from everywhere now!

 

[Mr_Plow]

Thought I would also do a quick report as I managed to get down to see them last night as well.

Now this was my first ever time seeing Carlton train, so of course I was extremely impressed with the overall intensity and professionalism of the players. I have nothing to compare it too, so take my over enthusiasm and positivity with a grain of salt. Also note that just because I don't list a player doesn't mean that they weren't impressive. Just that these were the players that really caught my eye, mainly because they were within close proximity to where I was sitting and it was hard to pick up every player all over the ground.

The first player that caught my attention was Jarrod Pickett. He looks shredded, and fit. A compete turn around from 1 year ago. He has such clean skills. I was just watching him snap goal after goal from the boundary, There is just something about him that you can't look away.

They were training for about an hour, doing various drills. I noticed that there was definitely a focus in forward leading patterns, which then transferred over into the match sim later on. I thought JSOS looked in good form. Seems to lead well and is a really nice kick. And Curnow is just a specimen, moves so well.

There was also a group in the midfield that were focusing on overlap running. You can tell that improving our scoring and attack is a big focus this preseason. After that they combined the 2 drills and had the midfielders overlapping and delivering it to our forwards. I was actually surprised with Graham in this drill, they were delivering into the F50 really well. Teague was the coach leading the drill down my end and was really impressive. Loud, instructive, and driving high standards. He would sometimes stop the drill after a bad pass and say what went wrong with the forwards lead etc.

They then went onto an AFLX simulation. I can't really give too much insight into this as i was just enjoying the game and quick ball movement. Harry, lebois, Garlett, polson, Byrne and most of the reserves boys didn't play and did more drills. So don't expect to see them in our AFLX lineup I'm guessing.

Match Sim Observations:

Fisher: I love this guy. Played a lot of midfield time and just seems to have all the tools. Still quite small, but he goes hard at the contest. There was a moment in the first quarter where he was running back with the flight and got absolutely flattened by another player. Both players went to ground but fisher bounces straight back up and is first to the ball, then delivers into the F50. Bolts was really happy and have him a big shout out and thumbs up. He is really clean below his knees and quick, and saw him hit a few lace out passes into the forward line. Watch out for him this year, will get more midfield minutes and take a big step forward.

Charlie: boy oh boy what an excitement machine. He just seems to have a presence around the ground that very few players have. He trains with real intensity too, at one point he was going for the ball and flattened young Schumacher! When compared to the other first year players, he already looks like a developed full forward. Was roaming around the ground taking marks on the wing and forward 50. Missed a couple of set shots on goal though, but that's the only thing you can pot him for. This is his year to really make his mark on the competition

Schumacher: pleasantly surprised by this kid. Was playing full back against the best 22, which meant the ball was coming in a fair bit. Still very skinny so struggled a bit the 1v1s, but has a beautiful left foot taking most of the kick outs. Has fairly good pace and goes hard at the footy. Will be interesting to see if he gets a run in seniors this year.

Harry: only played the first half and played with the 2nds so the ball didn't get down to his end too often. But I thought he moved around the pretty well. Took a big 2v1 contested grab on the wing from the kick out. He is a beautiful kick and mark. Didn't get enough of it and Not sure if he is quite ready yet but fingers crossed he plays plenty of games this year.

Pickett:
A few nice moments bursting out of congestion. He is quick!

Kennedy has the biggest quads I've seen in my life. Hopefully his shoulder is fine for rd 1.

Our defence was really well set up. Got to see jones close up and he seems so calm and confident back there. Was instructing everyone from full back. Will fill in Docs role as the general down back I reckon.

Marchbank and weiters are such an exciting combo. Weitering looks classy AF, and marchbank intercepting everything. Willow has such an amazing left foot, and Simpson his amazing best. Think our defence will be very strong this year dispite losing doc.

Cripps is a machine and was spending lots of time forward. Expecting a big year from him.

Dow has out on some muscle and has really good burst speed. I reckon he will play rd 1. Didn't see obrien much though.

And finally Bolts. You've heard it all before but this was my first time seeing him in the flesh and he is just such a brilliant communicator. When he speaks the whole ground becomes silent. He sends a message and won't stop saying it until every person understands it completely. We are lucky to have him as a coach I reckon.

Well that's enough waffling from me. Writing this the day after so not everything is fresh, but this is the stuff that stood out to me the most.

Brilliant.

Was Dow playing with the 'best 22' team?

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

Thanks for the report, Dowingham!

And welcome to your posting career, may it be long and fruitful. Great way to start off!

Lucky he spelt Dowingham with one W.

 

[Treesloth]

Sorry everyone, slept in, kids to school, late to work etc, so now I'm here I can concentrate on training report.

Athletes can be dumb
Their GPS's and vests were all lined up on one sid of the fence and some ran out onto the ground without them and had to come back. Now CHarles, Charlie, Prince, The Franchise, Kouta Mk2....when you are the future star of the club, you don't jump the wire fence with footy boots on, to land on slippery concrete when the @#$%!@ open gate is 3mtrs to your right....god I had visions of Dane Rampe last year.

Brilliant summary!

Does Charlie remind anyone else of a naughty Labrador?

Much loved, but god would he be hard work.

 

[Cripps Nubake]

Brilliant.

Was Dow playing with the 'best 22' team?

Hmm can't remember. From memory he had a vest on, but perhaps someone else can confirm.

 

[raymagoo]

Love willo in docs role. Suits it very well

Have heard from Jed this week that it’s his role

 

[Aphrodite]

Thanks Cripps Nubake

 

[The Dominator7]

Brilliant.

Was Dow playing with the 'best 22' team?

He had the orange vest on but I was sure that I saw him in the navy singlet at one stage and then in the 3rd quarter he was done and walking around the boundary there was no orange vest in sight, whereas one of the other younger boys had his orange vest hung over his shoulder.

Long way of saying not really sure ...Ha!!!